Last week we had an exciting visitor!
Andrea Beaty came to visit the first graders! She read two stories to the students: Iggy Peck, Architect; and Rosie Revere, Engineer. She also answered many questions about writing. The students were surprised to hear that it took her 10 years to write one of her books.
The message from the book Rosie Revere, Engineer encourages people to not give up; that if it doesn't work out the first time try again and again. We hope that this message gets carried throughout our experiences: writing a story; making a pie; flying a kite; and building a tower.
Reading: We are continuing to work on retelling. Students have been writing about stories they have read using a graphic organizer (characters/setting/ BME/problem-solution). Here are some of the good books we have read: Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley; The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark Deborah Diesen; and I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother by Selina Alko
We have also been reading from the chapter book series Galaxy Zack by Ray O'Ryan. We're currently reading book #4 Monsters in Space. This week we will also be reading a variety of books about giving thanks.
Writing: We are stilling working on finishing up our personal narratives. We will fix and fancy this week. The next unit of study will be writing an opinion piece about a toy. We will talk about an opinion vs. a fact. This week I will get tell the class to start thinking about some of their favorite toys. I will ask them to think about answers to the following questions: Why is it a great toy? Does it have any special features? What kind of person would appreciate this toy (if you like to build you'll love Legos)? Please ask your child some or all of these questions as well.
Social Studies: We had a community meeting last week with the first grade. Students listened to a story about Will and Lamar, two students who were trying to FOCUS on their work. Lamar was distracted by two girls who were talking behind him. We talked about strategies that may help them when they get distracted and they want to stay focused. One strategy we talked about was using our "attent-a-scopes," focusing our eyes on our work. Another strategy was to use "self-talk" (talk to yourself in your head about you need to do). One student brought up that you could imagine there was a wall between you and the distraction as well.
Math: This week we are working with the number line. Students will practice skip jumping by 2s, 5s, 3s.... and solve addition and subtraction number stories. We will also review telling time to the hour and work on telling time to the half-hour. Students will be introduced to the Frames-and-Arrows Routine.
PBIS: Students are working hard to earn individual and class hoots. They will get a chance to visit the Hoot Store this week on Thursday and use some of their hard earned hoots to buy cool stuff. :)
Andrea Beaty came to visit the first graders! She read two stories to the students: Iggy Peck, Architect; and Rosie Revere, Engineer. She also answered many questions about writing. The students were surprised to hear that it took her 10 years to write one of her books.
The message from the book Rosie Revere, Engineer encourages people to not give up; that if it doesn't work out the first time try again and again. We hope that this message gets carried throughout our experiences: writing a story; making a pie; flying a kite; and building a tower.
Reading: We are continuing to work on retelling. Students have been writing about stories they have read using a graphic organizer (characters/setting/ BME/problem-solution). Here are some of the good books we have read: Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley; The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark Deborah Diesen; and I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother by Selina Alko
We have also been reading from the chapter book series Galaxy Zack by Ray O'Ryan. We're currently reading book #4 Monsters in Space. This week we will also be reading a variety of books about giving thanks.
Writing: We are stilling working on finishing up our personal narratives. We will fix and fancy this week. The next unit of study will be writing an opinion piece about a toy. We will talk about an opinion vs. a fact. This week I will get tell the class to start thinking about some of their favorite toys. I will ask them to think about answers to the following questions: Why is it a great toy? Does it have any special features? What kind of person would appreciate this toy (if you like to build you'll love Legos)? Please ask your child some or all of these questions as well.
Social Studies: We had a community meeting last week with the first grade. Students listened to a story about Will and Lamar, two students who were trying to FOCUS on their work. Lamar was distracted by two girls who were talking behind him. We talked about strategies that may help them when they get distracted and they want to stay focused. One strategy we talked about was using our "attent-a-scopes," focusing our eyes on our work. Another strategy was to use "self-talk" (talk to yourself in your head about you need to do). One student brought up that you could imagine there was a wall between you and the distraction as well.
Math: This week we are working with the number line. Students will practice skip jumping by 2s, 5s, 3s.... and solve addition and subtraction number stories. We will also review telling time to the hour and work on telling time to the half-hour. Students will be introduced to the Frames-and-Arrows Routine.
PBIS: Students are working hard to earn individual and class hoots. They will get a chance to visit the Hoot Store this week on Thursday and use some of their hard earned hoots to buy cool stuff. :)